17/06/2005

Pensioner walks free after Mass card scam

A Londonderry pensioner who defrauded people out of thousands of pounds by selling more than 23,000 forged Mass cards has walked free.

Denis Frazer, 65, from Derry who had denied the charges, was given a two-year suspended jail sentence.

He sold forged Mass cards for £1 each to five elderly people who innocently sold the cards on to those who were bereaved.

Mass cards are normally signed by a priest and are sent to bereaved families.

At Derry Crown Court, Judge Desmond Marrinan said there was a “loss of spiritual dimension” and said Mr Frazer didn’t have any insight into the depth of hurt he had caused.

The judge did not impose a custodial sentence because of Frazer's and his wife’s ill health.

(CD/SP)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 September 2023
New Medicines And Patients Safety Centre Opens
The Department of Health (DoH) has announced the launch of a new regional centre to promote the reporting of suspected healthcare product safety concerns.
25 June 2001
DERRY WIN OVER SLUGGISH ANTRIM
IN the All-Ireland second round qualifier at Casement, it was a lacklustre Derry side which managed to secure a three-point victory over an equally lacklustre Antrim. The game, which held lots of potential to entertain, failed to come up with the goods for the 10,000 strong crowd on Saturday in Casement Park.
13 June 2005
Sellers warned to be wary of telephone callers
Detectives in Fermanagh are advising people selling their cars to be wary of unsolicited calls offering help with the sale. The advice follows an incident in which a local man advertised his car in a specialist magazine and was then phoned by an unconnected company that said it could help sell the car, and asked for credit card details.
26 March 2018
Pope Appoints Apostolic Administrator
Bishop Philip Boyce has been appointed apostolic administrator for Dromore. The Pope made the appointment after Bishop John McAreavey resigned earlier this month over celebrating Mass alongside a priest who he knew was a paedophile. The late Fr Malachy Finegan has been accused of sexual abuse by 12 people. Bishop Boyce is originally from Donegal.
02 February 2017
Amnesty International To Stage Mass Protests If President Trump Visits NI
Amnesty International has pledged to stage mass protests if US President Donald Trump visits Northern Ireland. According to the Impartial Reporter former first ministers Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness sent a congratulatory letter to the US President and said he would be assured of a "warm welcome".